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Set in an ancient Egyptian inspired environment Sphinx
and his sidekick Mummy embark on an epic quest exploring new
worlds, uncovering dark secrets, interacting with hundreds
of fantastic creatures and discovering new abilities. Travelling
the world via magic portals to foil the evil plans of a mysterious
foe, players must travel on a journey that will require all
their wits and agility to ensure good triumphs over evil...
Sphinx
and the Cursed Mummy has
so much going for it that it is difficult to know where to
start. The graphics are awesome, the music is beautiful and
the gameplay is addictive.
You
play the part of the young demigod, Sphinx, sent on a quest
to find a mystical sword. Once you've captured this, you're
in business and can slice and dice monsters to your hearts
content. But, just as you are getting used to playing as Sphinx
you suddenly find yourself back in ancient Egypt, and you
now take on the role of a lanky looking prince called Tutankhamun
- you may have heard of this very famous prince.
And
that's how this game is split - complete a level as Sphinx,
then as Tutankhamun and then Sphinx again. Not only does this
add to the games longevity (by stretching out two storylines),
but it also helps to keep you glued to the TV screen. There's
very little repetitive gameplay here, which keeps the action
fresh and exciting.
While
Sphinx is great at jumping and climbing everywhere, Tutankhamun
(who is quickly transferred in to the mummy of the game's
title) has a totally different set of movements. These include
crawling and sneaking around. Not only that, but in later
levels you'll be able to electrocute him, set him on fire
and slice him up into three mini mummies. It is these segments
which illustrate the games great sense of humour. But worry
not - you can't die as The Mummy (you're already dead). Instead,
you get unlimited tries at completing difficult levels.
It's
only when you finally manage to travel to Abydos, as Sphinx,
that the game really opens up and you find yourself having
to travel between areas by boat.
The
monsters that inhabit Sphinx's world are varied and well conceived
- in fact if you are playing the game correctly, you can collect
a lot of the indigenous life forms and exhibit them at the
local museum. And while this isn't essential to complete the
game, it does make an entertaining distraction from the normal
killing of monsters. Other creatures can help you blow things
up or set things on fire.
It
is also obvious that whoever designed a lot of the human based
characters in this game is a huge Jim Henson fan. Many of
the townsfolk (and in particular the two brothers who run
the farm) look as though they have come straight out of the
Creature Workshop.
The
only thing I could find to moan about was the lack of any
vocal dialogue. All of the cut scenes are played out with
subtitles - with the speakers simply making the odd grunt
or groan. This does detract somewhat from what would be a
perfect game.
That
slight grumble aside, this could be the best £35 you
spend this year.
Nick
Smithson
Buy
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£25.99
(Amazon.co.uk)
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£30.99
(Streetsonline.co.uk) |
All prices correct at time of going to press.
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